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A 21-gun salute echoed across the South Lawn and a flute-playing fife and drum corps, in red-coated uniforms and tri-corner hats, marched by Trump and Macron and their wives, Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron.

The two leaders were then to launch into a morning of talks expected to include how to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Mr Trump wants to withdraw the United States from unless European powers strengthen its terms.

In the evening, the Trumps are to host the Macrons at the first state dinner conducted by Trump since he took power.

European calls for exemptions from Mr Trump's plan for 25 percent tariffs on steel imports are also on their agenda, as well as the U.S. president's desire to withdraw US forces from Syria as soon as practicable.

Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron join husbands on state visit

Mon, May 7, 2018

First Ladies Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron join husbands US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron for three day state visit at the White House.

United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte for a State Dinner at the White House

Mr Macron, whose visit will be followed by one on Friday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, sees the Iran deal as the best available option to constrain Iran's nuclear ambitions. He has called on Trump to keep troops in Syria for the time being to ensure the defeat of Islamic State militants.

Mr Trump, in welcoming remarks, thanked France for joining with the United States and Britain in launching airstrikes in Syria earlier this month in response to a chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

He said he and Mr Macron had developed over the past year "a wonderful friendship" that is "a testament to the enduring friendship that binds our two nations."

Macron, in his remarks, called for the two countries to work together against Islamist militants, on North Korea and Iran, on "free and fair trade," and on climate change.

"It is together that we will counter the proliferation in weapons of mass destruction, whether it is in North Korea or in Iran," Macron said.

He alluded to Mr Trump's withdrawal last year from the Paris climate accord, saying "we do not always agree on the solution," but stressed "the fate of our children is at stake."